Since it's like Springtime in January today, The Shophound decided to take a walk up the West Side where we saw the latest Thom Browne collection at the shiny new Club Monaco on Columbus Avenue. Well, it's not officially Thom Browne, but let's see...
Fitted varsity sweater with single armband, check.
Narrow, tapered pants, check.
Shrunken schoolboy blazer, plain white shirts, check, check.
We are fascinated by Browne's success since we find his signature collection interesting yet uncomfortable and often entirely unwearable and his Black Fleece line for Brooks Brothers far more accessible yet still somewhat rechereché and a bit juvenilizing in its Pee-Wee Hermanesqe proportions. We have wondered how it will filter down to more mainstream retailers, and Club Monaco has shown us how. Known for regularly "interpreting" other designers looks at more palatable (but rising) prices, They can be counted on to commercialize challenging trends once the public ready. Note the ankle covering trouser hems shown, as opposed to Browne's preferred flood length. CM has also adopted Browne's color-free palette of black, white and gray throughout it's entire stock. We admire a strong point of view, but it keeps reminding us of White House/Black Market, not exactly the direction they were shooting for.